Astros could consider alternate broadcasts

In perhaps a worst-case scenario where some deal to restructure Comcast SportsNet Houston is not reached, the Astros are prepared to investigate whether an alternate means of broadcasting games is viable.

“Certainly, we hope it’s resolved in some favorable manner to all the parties,” Crane said. “We want to get that done. We’ve gone out and said that we would be hopeful that we’d be able to come with some other type of streaming, or some other mechanism, where the fans could see the game. Once we get past this stage, if we don’t get something resolved, then we’ll be working on that. We haven’t really put a plan together on that. We’ve got until April 1 to do it. But I want the fans to see the games, that’s clear.

“There’s really three options at this point: we come with a solution; the judge dismisses the case, gives us our rights fees back; it gets pitched into bankruptcy court and someone else will have to settle it out. But the bottom line is, there haven’t been enough subscribers from the other networks to sustain the business.”

Crane also explained that landing a workable TV deal could lead to a higher payroll.